Welcome to life beyond Lipedema
One Canadian woman’s journey with Lipedema
This is a personal account blog that shares my own story and journey with Lipedema. We each have our own path to walk and with that in mind please know that none of the information shared here should replace the advice and council of the medical professionals in your life.
Writing this blog is an outlet and a living road map of the journey I am on. A journey in which I know I am not alone. I have heard from so many women whose stories could be my story. So despite a constant stream of doubt and fear I am going to leap anyway. Please proceed with kindness and desire to understand.
There was life before lipedema, and there is life beyond lipedema. Presently I am on a journey to advocate for access to healthcare from the Province of Manitoba for treatment of my condition. Armed with persistence that is seldom matched and a passion for women’s health (common amongst us Labour and Delivery nurses) I aim to share the steps of my journey.
If you have been diagnosed with/or suspect you have lipedema welcome! To those reading not affected with lipedema thank you in advance for proceeding thoughtfully.
What is Lipedema?
Lipedema is a loose connective tissue disease predominantly in women identified by increased nodular and fibrotic adipose tissue on the buttocks, hips and limbs that develops at times of hormone, weight and shape change including puberty, pregnancy, and menopause. Lipedema tissue may be very painful and can severely impair mobility. Non-lipedema obesity, lymphedema, venous disease, and hypermobile joints are comorbidities. Lipedema tissue is difficult to reduce by diet, exercise, or bariatric surgery. – Standard of Care for Lipedema US
Lipedema Canada
How I applied for out-of-country coverage for Lipedema Surgery with Manitoba Health
Stolen Healthcare
The Cost of Winning
The Weight of it All
Recent posts
How I applied for out-of-country coverage for Lipedema Surgery with Manitoba Health
In early 2022 I went through the lengthy and frustrating process of applying for provincial health coverage for my medically necessary lipedema surgeries and their resulting skin excision surgeries. After many months and many frustrating and unnecessary obstacles posed by the province, I was able to secure approval for my surgeries.
Stolen Healthcare
Forced into silence and shamed by Manitoba doctors for being ill the endless fight to take care of my health is ongoing. With bright spots in the journey from the community and healing my body so I can participate in my life again. When healthcare was stolen I had to pivot.
The Cost of Winning
January 25th, 2022 and it was -39 degrees celsius in Manitoba. So cold that your exposed skin can freeze in under a minute. I gather
The Weight of it All
It’s been a while since I have written about my journey. You might have been wondering where did Emma go? And you aren’t alone in
Surgery Survival Guide
Getting ready for Lipedema Surgery can feel so overwhelming. I had no idea how to prepare for such a thing and was far away from home as well. Now that I am on the other side of my first surgery I am sharing some of the tips and tricks that worked for me. Here is the real deal on the Lipedema Surgery Survival Guide.
My first surgery
It’s the early days of my first surgery with Dr. J Schwartz in California. The emotional rollercoaster of my first surgery is harder than the pain itself. Pushing myself to trust the process and work toward recovery.
Hello
I am Emma
Just a Canadian woman with Stage 3 lipedema on a journey to reclaim my life. With a fighting spirit, I am using all the energy I have inside to navigate getting treatment for Lipedema in a country that can’t yet see us.
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How I applied for out-of-country coverage for Lipedema Surgery with Manitoba Health
Stolen Healthcare
